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The most special account of the craft people of
Multan Craft Bazar Multan, their supreme success, unforgettable
and promising efficiency during three months stay at Glasgow City.
Friday 4th, August 2006 to Sunday 6th, August
2006 were the three days significant for folks of southern Punjab,
Pakistan and in particular for the people of Multan. They can depict
these days with pleasure and pride. The specificity of these three
days is the WORLD SUFI FESTIVAL, 2006 which was held in Glasgow, UK.
In this festival, the prudent and promising artists from Multan
exhibited their, culture, everlasting arts and handicrafts and were
paid rich tribute by the European people and also by the people of
various nations and civilizations, present in that very festival.
They not only enlighten the Muslim community and the great nation of
our country, but also gained worthy wishes and words, full of
blessings, by the people of UK (England). No exaggeration it is, to
say that our well and great artisans were the central axis for all
the ladies and gentlemen, from all over the world because of their
traditional work, diligence and proficiency. It was all because of
the unlimited blessings of Allah Almighty.
Our craftsmen introduced rich culture of
Pakistan, especially of Multan, which was having peculiar taste of
Islam; for the first time in Europe. The superb artisans with the
help of their great arts also proved that Islam is a religion of
sincerity, Love, respect, honour, peace and sacrifice. The artisans
of Multan Craft Bazar are fortunate people as they were provided a
felicity by the grace of Almighty Allah that they not only raised
the name of their country in the international polities tainted in
the nuclear and atomic power; but also provided the proof that
artists never had disgusting intentions. They only prepare and
decorate new worlds of exceptional arts and crafts, having beauty
and affections. These artisans and craftsmen are valuable for every
Pakistani.
Multan Arts Council, Multan Craft Council and Multan
Craft Bazar are really deserving felicitations. It was possible
because of these organizations that our handicraftsmen traveled
abroad and introduced the culture arts and crafts of their country
at international level. They raised the name of our country among
the nations and civilizations of the entire world. This is all the
result of the collective efforts of our sincere handicraftsmen. The
home offices of Govt. of Pakistan and Govt. of UK played their parts
also in this respect.
A Scottish newspaper, Oracle, wrote in its
special addition of August 2006, under column number 103:
“The main aspects of this event were without doubt the participation
of the master crafts people form Multan, Pakistan. Who proudly
revealed their skills through their wares and products.”
(The basic viewpoint of this event was, no doubt, the inclusion of
the artisans of Multan. Their skills were obvious from their shining
products.)
At another point the newspaper mentions:
“Legend tells that craftspeople were more assigned to a
higher level of consciousness because as the worked, their heart and
mind would only recite the name of God continuously. No matters how
many hours they laboured, the name of the creator would echo within
their consciousness.”
It is perceived from the above mentioned excerpts that
our artisans greatly affected the citizens and media communications
of UK. They are seen, compelled to admit that the artisans of
Multan, Pakistan, are always busy in getting the blessings of Allah
and to sacrifice for their country and religion. These artisans
believe on the dignity of hard work and work for the welfare and
prosperity of the whole humanity.
Another newspaper, AWAZ (Voice of the Scottish Asian)
of Glasgow, Scotland, pays rich tribute to the craftsmen of Multan
Craft Bazar in its column number 131:
“People were expressing their interest fully on different stales.
Especially the stales of famous Craft Bazar from Multan, having
Pakistani Products were the center of attraction of the people
particularly, Abodul Rehman Naqash attended this festival with his
team from Multan.”
The review of above mentioned newspaper is undoubtedly
a message of nobleness and respect for the artisans of Multan Craft
Bazar and also for the citizens of Multan. On this occasion, the
specialist the history of art, culture, civilization and
handicrafts, Dr. Fauzia (from Lahore) depicted her thoughts and
ideas in the words that the people, who had great insight of culture
and craft, had rich thoughts and ideas of sanity. She thanked the
artisans of Multan Craft Bazar and encourage them for keeping alive
their cultural heritage. She also declared that the business class
should understand the skills of these craftsmen and should introduce
their products in the open markets of UK.
WORLD SUFI FESTIVAL came to an end like a sweet dream.
To arrange this festival under the Bazm-eSher-o-Naghma of Glasgow,
was having some worth ambitions and noble purposes. One of the main
purposes was to expose the particulars and events of the modern
world for which Muslims were being criticized, hated and pushed
behind. This was the call of the time that the activities of the
Muslims of UK and Pakistan should be brought before the world and
their accurate personality must be preserved. Moreover the
immoralities about Islam must be excluded from the hearts and minds
of the people of UK and other nations. By the grace of Almighty
Allah the artisans of Multan Craft Bazar, altogether, succeeded in
their superb ambitions by the use of their humble and tolerant
manners and beautiful creations. They revealed on the citizens of
Glasgow and Scotland that the artists were always the diplomats of
peace, the saviour of love and having best regards for all. They are
saint in their heart and mind. No doubt, the festival was being held
by the untiring efforts and great affections of the chairman Mr.
Sheikh Muhammad Ashraf and Mr. Hermender Bremen (Art Development
Officer).
The artisans of Multan Craft Bazar are lucky people as
they were bestowed with great love and respect form the part of the
people of Glasgow City. People without exaggeration liked their arts
and crafts. Moreover Multan Craft Bazar was given name and fame by
the means of electronic and print media and even Multan, the city of
great saints was given organic fame before the media of the entire
world. But the real destinations of the artisans and workers of
Multan Craft Bazar are far beyond. They are trying to promote their
true and neat cultural heritage and want to get respect honour,
love, affection, uniqueness, sincerity and peace from the whole
world.
This all programme was established fully and ended
beautifully by the untiring efforts of Mr. Muhammad Ali Wasti
(Multan Arts Council), Mr. Abdul Rehman Naqash (Multan Craft
Council), Mian Faisal Mukhtar (City District Nazim Multan), Govt. of
UK, Govt. of Pakistan, Bazm-e-Sher-o-Naghma Glasgow and by the well
artists of Multan Craft Bazar Multan.
The account of the artisans of Multan Craft Bazar is
still continued they had been the guests of Glasgow city council for
near about three months. During this period, they showed their arts
practically by attending various workshops arranged according to the
schedules of local organizations. They delivered lectures and
attended classes. The people of the localities showed their full
interest and desires in seeking knowledge of Multani Culture and
crafts. Aforementioned workshops were arranged and organized in
following 5 categories:
1. At Primary School Level
2. At High School Level
3. At College Level
4. At University Level
5. To the local teachers, professors and specialists of arts and
crafts.
Workshops for disable people were arranged separately. These divided
into three categories.
1. To disable children
2. To disable young people
3. To disable old people
The craftsmen of Multan Craft Bazar attended more or less, eighty
workshops within twelve weeks. They passed very busy time and left
no deficiency in making their culture, arts and crafts common among
the people. However, there were also some hurdles and difficulties
to face, but because of the great interest of the local folks, our
all artisans were succeeded in their obligations. English people
were surprised to see the masterpieces of the eastern culture and
civilization. Their efforts in getting themselves trained in these
arts are unforgettable.
On this occasion, it would not be without wonder that
the Lady Mayer of Glasgow City Council, Provost Liz Cameron, made a
decision to give fifteen minutes to the artists of Multan Craft
Bazar to thank their services, but when she viewed the products of
craftsmen; she showed her excitement, wonder and interest in this
manner that she forgot her valuable punctuality and put on herself
busy in talking with the artisans more than forty five minutes. She
was much pleased and in praising the masterpieces of arts, she spoke
without any hypocrisy. The craftsmen presented her their products as
gifts. She not only accepted them, but ordered to save them in a
local museum.
After that, Provost Liz Cameron favoured the artists of
Multan Craft Bazar with the award of Glasgow City Council, which was
a source of greatness for Multan Craft Bazar. It is all because of
the blessings of Allah Almighty who bestowed these artisans with
great skill and honour.
The message of God is true without any doubt and as being Muslims,
we believe that hard work always pays in a right way. It does give
fruit and in this hard work, lies the secret of humanity and
dignity.
Eight craftsmen from Multan Craft Bazar attended World
Sufi Festival 2006 and after it attended various workshops and
classes within twelve weeks. Here the introduction of these
handicraftsmen is important. Here one more thing, which is
despicable that in these craftsmen, there was only one woman who
took part actively in all the activities. She was the only lady
artisans of the World Sufi Festival 2006.
These craftsmen are:
1. Malik Abdul Rehman Naqash S/O
Malik Muhammad Aashiq Naqash (Favoured with Presidential Award)
Specialization in: Naqashi and Camel Skin Products.
2. Muhammad Ajmal Chishti (Expo 90 Japan)
Specialization in designing by mirror (Glass cut work)
3. Muhammad Wajid S/O Allah Divaya (Aghah Khan Award)
Specialization in Blue Pottery (Kashigari)
4. Haq Nawaz
Specialization in Okear Sazi
5. Fatima Kanwal
Specialization in Crochet Work
6. Abdul Rasheed Qurashi
Specialization in the work on Camel Bone
7. Muhammad Shafiq (Clayment)
Specialization in Clay Pottery
8. Rashid Mukhtar
Specialization in Calligraphy
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